Answered by Ustadha Zaynab Ansari Question: salam alykom wa rahmatu Allah..I am Muslim woman and I want to marry a Catholic man.As unthinkable as it seems there’s a tiny speck of me that understands why one in seven of the British jihadists who have gone to Iraq and Syria are women.I must stress that I’m horrified by Isil and its radicalised version of Islam that stands for nothing but depravity, murder and savagery - when the religion I know only teaches peace, inclusion and love.

From an Islamic legal standpoint, your civil marriage to a non-Muslim man is not valid.

Traditionally, Islamic law makes allowances for interfaith marriages only in the case of a Muslim man marrying a Christian or Jewish woman.

A Qur’anic reference is Chapter 5, Verse 5: “This day are (all) good things made lawful for you.

Religion is a very touchy subject in Egypt and often interfaith marriages can prove to be problematic. Why is it a taboo to marry a person from a different religion?

Many people see interfaith marriages as a channel for converting to the another religion.

My boyfriend, who is also an atheist was born into a Christian family," a 25-year-old female who spoke under the condition of anonymity said.